Mary Jane Sanders Memorial Scholarship
Mary Jane Sanders was a beloved mother and grandmother who passed away from ALS on January 24th, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, and resolve.
MJ believed it was important for everyone to pursue what makes them happy and fulfilled. She also believed deeply in the power of family and found comfort in their support throughout her experience with ALS. MJ was committed to persevering through adversity, and she navigated ALS with grace and resilience. ALS doesn't just affect the person diagnosed; it impacts entire families. Care can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per year, and children often take on caregiving roles while trying to stay in school and build their futures.
This scholarship seeks to honor the life of Mary Jane Sanders by supporting students who have been impacted by a parent’s ALS diagnosis but are continuing to pursue their academic goals.
Any high school senior or undergraduate student with at least a 3.0 GPA may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they have a parent who has been diagnosed with or has passed away from ALS. Applicants must be driven and committed to their education.
To apply, tell us how your family's experience with ALS inspired you to pursue your dreams. Additionally, upload a photo of you with your parent who faced ALS. While optional, it is recommended that you also upload additional documents/photos that speak to your parent's diagnosis and/or loss.
Mary Jane Sanders exemplified that the power of family can give you strength to push through adversity. She never gave up and inspired those around her to give their best each and every day.
How has your family's experience with ALS inspired you to pursue your dreams?
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FAQ
The application deadline is Jun 30, 2026. Winners will be announced on Aug 1, 2026.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Aug 1, 2026. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.
